packet

The unit of data sent across a network. "Packet" is a generic term used to describe a unit of data at any layer of the OSI protocol stack, but it is most correctly used to describe application layer data units ("application protocol data unit", APDU).

See also datagram, frame.

(1994-11-30)

Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)
 

packet \pack"et\ (p[a^]k"[e^]t), n. [F. paquet, dim. fr. LL. paccus, from the same source as E. pack. See Pack.]

[1913 Webster]

1. A small pack or package; a little bundle or parcel; as, a packet of letters. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. Originally, a vessel employed by government to convey dispatches or mails; hence, a vessel employed in conveying dispatches, mails, passengers, and goods, and having fixed days of sailing; a mail boat. [1913 Webster]

Packet boat, Packet ship, or Packet vessel. See Packet, n., 2.

Packet day, the day for mailing letters to go by packet; or the sailing day.

Packet note or Packet post. See under Paper. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Packet \Pack"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Packeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Packeting.]

1. To make up into a packet or bundle. [1913 Webster]

2. To send in a packet or dispatch vessel. [1913 Webster]

Her husband Was packeted to France. --Ford. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Packet \Pack"et\, v. i. To ply with a packet or dispatch boat. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

48 Moby Thesaurus words for "packet": argosy, bale, bark, batch, bindle, boat, bolt, bomb, boodle, bottom, bouquet, bucket, budget, bundle, craft, deck, fagot, fardel, fasces, fascine, fortune, great deal, hooker, hulk, hull, keel, leviathan, loads, lots, mint, nosegay, pack, package, parcel, piles, posy, pretty penny, quiver, roll, rouleau, sheaf, ship, tidy sum, truss, tub, vessel, wad, watercraft

Source: Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
 

packet

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
 

Packet \Pack"et\, n. [F. paquet, dim. fr. LL. paccus, from the same source as E. pack. See Pack.]

1. A small pack or package; a little bundle or parcel; as, a packet of letters. --Shak.

2. Originally, a vessel employed by government to convey dispatches or mails; hence, a vessel employed in conveying dispatches, mails, passengers, and goods, and having fixed days of sailing; a mail boat.

Packet boat, ship, or vessel. See Packet, n., 2.

Packet day, the day for mailing letters to go by packet; or the sailing day.

Packet note or post. See under Paper.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Packet \Pack"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Packeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Packeting.]

1. To make up into a packet or bundle.

2. To send in a packet or dispatch vessel.

Her husband Was packeted to France. --Ford.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Packet \Pack"et\, v. i. To ply with a packet or dispatch boat.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)